Malabadi Bridge Tour is Included in the Price

Dara Ancient City and Beyazsu Tour is Included in the Price

Harran Houses Tour is Included in the Price

Opportunity to Visit the Yazidi and Syriac Villages of Şırnak

Opportunity to Visit Tarsus

Adana - Mersin - Gaziantep - Şanlıurfa - Mardin - Batman - Şırnak - Diyarbakır - Adıyaman 

• Day 1
• Tarsus - Tarsus Waterfalls - Eshab-i Kehf Cave - Nusret Mine Ship - Danyal Mosque - Ulu Mosque - Kırkkaşık Bedesten – Gaziantep – Gaziantep Castle - Hz. Yuşa Tomb - Copper Bazaar - Almacı Market – Castles - Tahmis Coffee – Şahinbey National Struggle Museum
• We will meet at Adana Airport for our Flight Gap Tour in the morning hours and head to our bus to start the day with a breakfast break. Then we will visit Eshab-ı Kehf Cave, where a miracle occurred for both Christianity and Islam, which is believed to be the cave where seven young men, who fled from the cruel king of the time, and their dog, took refuge and slept for 3 centuries as narrated in the Quran's Kehf surah. After our visit with our guide, we will proceed to the Nusrat Mine Ship. We will see the Cleopatra Gate accompanied by a panoramic city tour and receive information about it. After learning about the historical Tarsus Houses and streets, we will visit the Danyal Prophet's tomb located in Makam-ı Danyal Mosque, which is respected by Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Then we will visit the Ulu Mosque and Kırkkaşık Bedesten and have free time for shopping. After bidding farewell to this historical city, we will begin our journey to Gaziantep.

• First, we will have our lunch in Gaziantep. After our lunch, we will visit the Zeugma Mosaic Museum. After the archaeological site of Zeugma, established by the Seleucids and later named meaning "to bring the two shores together" in Roman, submerged under the waters of the Birecik Dam, we will move to the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, where the mosaics of Roman generals' villas are displayed. Opened on September 9, 2011, in Gaziantep, the museum, covering an area of 1700 square meters, is known as the third largest mosaic museum in the world and houses the world-famous “Gypsy Girl” mosaic, along with other mosaics that draw their themes from Greek mythology, guided by our tour guide. After our visit to the Zeugma Mosaic Museum, we will see Gaziantep Castle, which is situated on a hill in the city center. Although it is not known when the castle was built, it is known that it was used for observation purposes during Roman times. The castle has been restored many times throughout history and was last restored in the early 2000s. After a short photo break, we will see the Sedefçiler, Spice Merchants, Vegetable Hall, Historical Pasha Inn, Tahtani Mosque, Long Bazaar, Historical Customs Inn, Zincirli Bedesten, and Shoemakers Bazaar and reach Copper Bazaar. At the entrance to the bazaar, we will visit the tombs of Pirsefa Hazretleri and Hz. Yuşa Prophet. Then we will visit the 250-year-old Almacı Market, known as the oldest bazaar in Gaziantep. After that, we will come to Tahmis Coffee, established between 1635-1638 by the Türkmen Agha and District Beyi Mustafa Ağa Bin Yusuf to generate income for the Mevlevi Lodge. We will have free time to drink Menengic Coffee and do our shopping in the markets. After our free time, we will take a short break to shop for Gaziantep's famous baklava and pistachios. After shopping, we will visit the Şahinbey National Struggle Museum. Here we will visit the modern museum built underground, which narrates the resistance shown by the people of Antep against enemy occupation and how they earned the title of “Gazi.” Then we will head to our hotel for dinner and accommodation.

• Breakfast: Will be taken in Tarsus. (Extra)
• Lunch: Will be taken in Gaziantep. (Extra)
• Dinner: Will be taken at the hotel. It is included in the tour price.
• Accommodation Hotel: Gaziantep/ Tilmen Hotel, Shimall Hotel, Dedeman Hotel, etc.

• Day 2
• Adıyaman - Kahta - Karakuş Tumulus - Cendere Bridge - Mount Nemrut – Nissibi Bridge - Diyarbakır – Hevsel Gardens – On Gözlü Bridge – Tigris River – Mardin Gate – Keçi Fortress – Ulu Mosque – Hasan Pasha Inn - Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı Museum
• On the second day of the Gap Tour, after having breakfast in the hotel, we will leave the hotel and head towards Kahta district of Adıyaman. We will take minibuses waiting for us in Kahta to reach the Karakuş Tumulus, which houses the graves of Commagene King Mithridates and his family. After taking in the magnificent view with explanations from our guide, we will proceed to the Cendere Bridge, which was built over the Cendere Stream, one of the most magnificent bridges from the Roman period, which is 1800 years old. After a photo break here, we will ascend Mount Nemrut, which is 2150 meters high in the Eastern Taurus mountain range. On the summit at 2150m lies the Tumulus of King I. Antiochos. On the east and west terraces, there are colossal statues of Zeus (Oromasdes), Apollo, Mithras, Helios, Hermes, Herakles, Artagnes, Ares, Commagene, Tiche, and himself, made by King I. Antiochos. King I. Antiochos clearly solidified the Persian dress and culture traditions that he combined in these works. After receiving necessary information from our guide, we will enjoy the unique view, remembering Antiochos's will: “My birthday will be celebrated every month and year, it will be a festival day; on these days, the chief priest, dressed in Persian garb generously given by me and the laws, will place golden wreaths on all of us. For us, there will be plenty of incense burnt, and accordingly, sacrifices will be made, and sacred tables will be filled with the best food and wines. My nation, gathered here, will eat and celebrate plenty.”

• After our Mount Nemrut tour, we will cross over the Nissibi Bridge, which connects Kahta and Siverek, known as the Bridge of the East and then head to Diyarbakır, one of the oldest and most rooted cities in the Southeast. We will see the Hevsel Gardens, which are located on the banks of the Tigris River and were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015, taking a moment to appreciate the agricultural value as well as the cultural and historical significance. Then we will arrive at the On Gözlü Bridge. During the time of Hıdırellez, the local people would write their wishes on a piece of cloth and throw it into the Tigris River from this bridge. After a photo break here, we will see the Sheep Tower, Urfa Gate, and Mardin Gate, the oldest of the Diyarbakır Walls. We will reach the city center, seeing the Four-Legged Minaret, built by Akkoyunlu Kasım Bey in 1500, and visit the Ulu Mosque, which is the first in Anatolia and the 5th Harem-i Sharif in the Islamic world. We will visit Hasanpaşa Inn, the largest inn in the region, and then visit the Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı Museum, known for the poem “At thirty-five, half the road.” (If it has not opened due to renovation and maintenance work, the visit will not be realized.) In this beautiful house, which creates separate usage areas for each season, you will see the fine examples of regional civil architecture. After our short break here, we will head to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

• Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel. It is included in the tour price.
• Lunch: Will be taken in Kahta. (Extra)
• Dinner: Will be taken at the hotel. It is included in the tour price.
• Accommodation Hotel: Diyarbakır or Adıyaman Hotels.
• Diyarbakır/ Anemon Hotel, Sv Business Hotel, Novotel etc. - Adıyaman/ Dedeman Hotel, Taşsaray Bardakçı Hotel, Euphrat Hotel etc.

• Day 3
• Malabadi Bridge – Batman – Hasankeyf – Mağaraköy – Haberli Village – Mor Gabriel Monastery - Midyat
• On the third day of the Gap Tour, after having breakfast at the hotel, we will leave the hotel and head to Malabadi Bridge located within the Silvan borders. We will take a photo break at Malabadi Bridge, which was built during the Artuqid period and has the largest arch span that has survived to this day. We will then move to Hasankeyf in Batman, bidding farewell to Diyarbakır.

• After passing through Batman, where Turkey's first oil wells are located, we will arrive at Hasankeyf, exploring the ancient site dating back 12,000 years. With the establishment of the Ilısu Dam, a new settlement was built 3 km away, and since February 2020, Hasankeyf has been submerged in water. During this visit, we will share in the melancholy of Hasankeyf, seeing the Hasankeyf Castle, the Minaret of El Rızık Mosque, and its caves, followed by free time. During the free time, guests can participate in a boat tour to closely see the old Hasankeyf from the Ilısu Dam (Extra). After our free time, we will head towards Mağaraköy (Kiwex) located in Şırnak province.

• Mağaraköy, where the Yazidis have lived in accordance with their beliefs and lifestyles for centuries, is completely abandoned now. It derives its name from the caves carved and used underground for homes. Our guide will provide information about Yazidi culture, and the village's structure, aroma, graveyard, and houses will transport you back to a moment frozen in time. After our free time, we will move to the Syriac village of Haberli (Basibirin). The 23 churches in this village will give you insight into its past vibrancy and density. We will visit the Mor Eşayho Church within the open churches, guided by our tour guide. The structure and this Syriac village, which is trying to revive, have produced 3 Patriarchs, 3 assistant Patriarchs, and 31 Metropolitans. After exploring the exclusively Syriac-populated village and sipping tea in the village café while chatting with the locals, we will farewell before boarding our bus to visit Mor Gabriel Monastery located in Midyat. (If there is a heavy crowd, we may visit Deyrulzafaran Monastery instead.) This well-known and large structure of the Syriac Ancient Community was founded in 397 by Mor Şmuel and Mor Şemun and quickly completed. We will visit this monastery, which is situated on a high hill covered with oak trees, guided by our tour guide. It is known by the name “Deyrulumur,” derived from the term meaning “the residence of the monks.” After our visit to the monastery, we will head to our hotel in Midyat. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.

• Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel. It is included in the tour price.
• Lunch: Will be taken in Midyat. (Extra)
• Dinner: Will be taken at the hotel. It is included in the tour price.
• Accommodation Hotel: Midyat/ Royal Hotel, Asur Imperial Hotel, Kervan Hotel, etc.

• Day 4
• Midyat Guesthouse – Telkari Workshop - Beyazsu – Nusaybin – Mor Yakup Church – Zeynel Abidin Mosque – Dara Ancient City - Kasımiye Madrasa – Mardin
• On the fourth day of the Gap Tour, after having breakfast at the hotel, we will leave the hotel and visit the Midyat Guesthouse where iconic Turkish TV series like Sıla, Hercai, and Ah Bir Bulut Olsam were filmed. After our visit where you can take wonderful photos, we will visit the telkari workshop, where you can see and purchase examples of this art developed by Syriac masters over the years. After our shopping at the telkari workshop, we will have free time to stroll among the Historical Midyat Houses. After our free time, our bus will meet us so that we can have a short break for buying local kurukahve and dried fruits. After our purchases, we will begin our Beyazsu and Dara Ancient City Tour.

• We will reach Beyazsu, which springs from the foot of the plateau and hills south of Midyat. In Mardin's dry and treeless geography, short tea and coffee breaks will be available at Beyazsu, with its cool and clear waters, trees, and greenery. After that, we will head to the Dara Ancient City location, 30 km southeast of Mardin, in Oğuz Village. The Dara Ancient City, one of the most significant settlements of Upper Mesopotamia, consists of structures carved into the rocks stretched over a wide area. We will explore this ancient site with our guide. Then we will head to Nusaybin, which is located at the border.

• Nusaybin, which has a continuous settlement dating back about 7000 years and a name history of 4000 years, is vital in Mesopotamia. We will see the Mor Yakup Church, which is the largest school in Mesopotamia. After getting information regarding Mor Evgin and Mir Osman, we will visit the Zeynel Abidin Complex. We will hear information about the Complex, which includes the tombs of Zeynel Abidin and his sister, Sitti Zeynep, followed by a coffee break at a village café on the border. After our free time, we will move to Dara Ancient City.

• The Dara Ancient City, located 30 km southeast of Mardin in Oğuz Village, is one of the most significant settlements of Upper Mesopotamia. We will explore Dara Ancient City, consisting of buildings carved into the rocks and stretched over a wide area, with our guide. Following our tour of Dara Ancient City, we will head to Kasımiye Madrasa.

• Constructed during the Artuqid period and completed in the late 15th century by Akhoyunlu Sultan Kasım İbn Cihangir, we will learn more about this madrasa from our guide and take photos before heading towards our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
•  * Guests may join the Mardin Night Tour, known for its Gerdanlık, to explore the streets of Old Mardin illuminated at night or participate in the Mardin Reyhani Night. (Extra)
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• Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel. It is included in the tour price.
• Lunch: Will be taken in Nusaybin. (Extra)
• Dinner: Will be taken at the hotel. It is included in the tour price.
• Accommodation Hotel: Mardin/ Anemon Hotel, Raymar Hotel, Yay Grand Hotel, Dedeman Hotel, etc.

• Day 5
• Old Mardin – Sheikh Çabuk Mosque – Republic Square – Latifiye Mosque – Ulu Mosque – Abbaras – Historical PTT Building (Şahtana Mansion) – Şehidiye Mosque – Olgunlaşma Institute - Mesopotamia Plain – Şanlıurfa - Göbeklitepe – Balıklı Göl – Aynzeliha Lake
• On the fifth day of the Gap Tour, after having breakfast at the hotel, we will leave the hotel and head to Old Mardin. We will get out of our vehicle at Diyarbakır Gate and start walking through the streets of Old Mardin. Our walk begins at Republic Square, where we will see Sheikh Çabuk Mosque, Mardin Protestant Church, Latifiye Mosque, Sokulbar (Inekler Bazaar), and the Copper Bazaar. During our walk, we will visit Mardin Ulu Mosque, one of the architectural samples of the Artuqids. The Mardin Ulu Mosque, with its divided dome and minaret, is a symbol of Mardin and was reportedly built in 1176 with two minarets; however, the existing single minaret was constructed in 1888/1889 in a newly eclectic style. Some Syriac authors claim it was converted from a church. Even if it was not converted from the church, it is likely that a former church existed on the spot. After receiving information from our guide, we will continue our walk through the little tunnels connecting the streets, known as Abbaras. We will also see Şahtana Mansion, which was once used as the PTT Building and recognized as an old Armenian Mansion. Following this, we will visit Şehidiye Mosque, built in the early 13th century by the Artuqid Sultan Melik Nasreddin Artuk Aslan, and explore the Olgunlaşma Institute located at the foot of the Mardin Castle, guided by our speaker. After that, we will enjoy a refreshing cup of tea against the stunning view of the Mesopotamia Plain and take beautiful photos. After that, we will leave Mardin and head towards Şanlıurfa, also known as the city of Prophets, where Prophet Ibrahim was born and thrown into the fire. We will visit Göbeklitepe, located near the Örencik Village in Şanlıurfa, which hosts the first temples of Anatolia and the world.

• We will arrive at Göbeklitepe, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, known for its thrilling discovery that changed not only the history of the region but also that of humanity, dating back 12,000 years. Previously, it was on the cover of National Geographic Magazine as “the place where religion was born." After receiving information about Göbeklitepe, which has only a small part unearthed, we will move to Balıklı Göl, the most famous sight in Şanlıurfa. Balıklı Göl is located in the southwest of Şanlıurfa city center and is believed to be the site where Ibrahim was thrown into the fire. The sacred fish and historic artifacts surrounding it make Balıklı Göl one of the most visited places in Şanlıurfa. We will also see Aynzeliha Lake, said to be formed from the tears of Zeliha, the daughter of Nimrod, as we look into the sacred waters of Balıklı Göl (Halil-Ür Rahman) and conclude our tour with a photo break. After a lovely time, we will have free time for local shopping unique to Şanlıurfa before heading to our hotel. Guests may also participate in a traditional evening, known as the sıra gece, to experience the local culture.

• Important: Our Şanlıurfa hotel accommodation includes breakfast. However, guests may join a paid dinner program for the evening.

• Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel. It is included in the tour price.
• Lunch: Will be taken in Mardin. (Extra)
• Dinner: Will be taken at the Sıra Gece. (Extra)
• Accommodation Hotel: Şanlıurfa/ Dedeman Hotel, Harran Hotel, Alahan Hotel, Newton Hotel, etc.

• Day 6
• Harran – Harran University – Conical Domed Houses - Hz. Eyyüb Prophet's Patience Place - Halfeti – Boat Tour – Rum Castle – Sunken Minaret – Adana - Stone Bridge - Sabancı Mosque
• On the last day of our Gap Tour, after having breakfast at the hotel, we will leave the hotel and head to Harran, which means "the crossroads of roads." Harran is protected for its Conical Domed Houses, which can only be found in three regions worldwide. Harran has a 5000-year history, where the first Islamic university also existed, and we will see Harran University (Ulu Mosque), Harran Mound, Castle, Caravanserai, and visit a traditional Conical Domed Harran House. During our visit to the Guesthouse, you can wear traditional costumes and take photos. After our Harran visit, we will visit the Hz. Eyyüb Prophet's Patience Place, which also contains the cave where he suffered and healed during his affliction.
• Here, we will see the cave where Hz. Eyyüb faced a relentless illness, the water spring where he was said to have been cured, and the stone named the rock of patience that he leaned on. We will visit Halfeti, one of Turkey’s “Cittaslow” towns, next.
• After the construction of the Birecik Dam, part of Halfeti has submerged. Those who wish may board the boat for a Halfeti Boat Tour (Extra). During the boat trip on the dam lake, we will see the cave of the Kral Kızı, Rumkale and the mosque and minaret of Bilesur Savaşan Village submerged under the waters. After the boat tour, we will take a short break in Halfeti before heading to Adana.
• After seeing the Historical Stone Bridge, located on the Seyhan River, and the Sabancı Central Mosque, one of the most important mosques in the region, we will have dinner in Adana and finish our Gap Tour. Afterward, we will move to the airport for our flight. With our arrival at the airport, we will say goodbye until we meet again on another tour.

• Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel. It is included in the tour price.
• Lunch: Will be taken in Halfeti. (Extra)
• Dinner: Will be taken in Gaziantep or Adana. (Extra)
• Accommodation Hotel: There is no hotel accommodation tonight.